With local airports offering more than a dozen new nonstops that can whisk travelers from slush to sunshine in under six hours, there’s no dearth of ways to flee the bleak skies and arctic temperatures that really start getting old, oh, right about now. From where and when to fly, to what to do on arrival, we’ve rounded up all the details you’ll need for a smartly planned, impeccably timed retreat.
Plus: A Bostonian’s socialite- and snowbird-approved guide to Florida.
With local airports offering more than a dozen new nonstops that can whisk travelers from slush to sunshine in under six hours, there’s no dearth of ways to flee the bleak skies and arctic temperatures that really start getting old, oh, right about now. From where and when to fly, to what to do on arrival, we’ve rounded up all the details you’ll need for a smartly planned, impeccably timed retreat.
Plus: A Bostonian’s socialite- and snowbird-approved guide to Florida.
Your Guide to…
St. Thomas and Turks and Caicos
Sitting Targets
Need to get away, now? We polled local travel agents on which winter flights from Logan almost always have room for latecomers.
Keep Your Cool
These nonstop destinations cater to the heat-averse with indoor culture and outdoor pursuits.
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A Bostonian’s Guide to the Sunshine State
We braved sand, socialites, and lots of bright colors to bring you everything you need to know to seem as if you’ve been wintering there for years.
Click here for A Primer on Navigating the State’s Seven Hubs, Plus the Keys!
Schmooze Control
A social calendar for the visiting partygoer.
Looking the Part
Old old-money outfits are bo-ring. Spend your pre-trip shopping
trip stocking up on these staples of the new Gold Coast chic.
A Place in the Sun
Steep declines in the Florida housing market and a plethora of available inventory make this a savvy time to rent or buy a second home there.
Making Waves, the Right Way
In Palm Beach County, veteran scenesters dish on what to do, who to know, and where to go to get noticed.
Aruba
JetBlue 773 // Five hours
The Natalee Holloway affair showered much unwanted attention on the arid Dutch coming. Play-it-safe types forgo the slots to loll on calm southern beaches or hike through the desertlike Arikok National Park.
Take off
Leave Logan at 7 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, or Saturday. The airline’s Flight 774 departs Aruba at 1:40 p.m. local time on the same days. 800-538-2583, jetblue.com.
Stay
Fresh off a $16 million renovation, the Westin Aruba has sailing, windsurfing, and deep-sea fishing, as well as a glittering gambling hall. Doubles from $199; 877-822-2222, westinaruba.com.
Eat
As its name suggests, the new Windows on Aruba serves up a lovely Caribbean view; its menu offers escargot and frog legs, among other delicacies. 297-581-4653, windowsonaruba.com.
Dive
Rainbow-colored snapper and foureye butterfly fish can be spotted around the Antilla, a 400-foot-long sunken Nazi freighter covered in tube sponges and accessible to snorkelers and divers alike. 297-583-1603, redsailaruba.com.
Pack
Sunscreen—and loads of it. It’s very rarely cloudy or rainy in Aruba.
Bermuda
JetBlue 1703 //
Two hours, 20 minutes
Friendly, tidy, and crisply efficient, the British territory of Bermuda is home to both ample English artifacts and the Douglas–Zeta-Joneses. The island’s pink sand beaches and tony hotels, shops, and eateries (and yes, its tax-shelter status) attract legions of moneyed visitors. Delta and US Airways have historically offered the only direct Boston–Bermuda flights, but JetBlue begins daily May-to-October service this year.
Take off
Leave Logan at 10:40 a.m. on Thursday; board return Flight 1704 at 2:45 p.m. local time on Sunday. 800-538-2583, jetblue.com.
Stay
After a multimillion-dollar upgrade late last year, the Hamilton Princess’s 410 rooms now have marble bathrooms and flat-screen TVs. Doubles from $259; 441-295-3000, fairmont.com/hamilton.
Eat
The new Sea Breeze Terrace at Elbow Beach has nightly live entertainment and al fresco dining—sushi and seafood-heavy tapas—mere steps from the ocean. 441-236-3535, mandarinoriental.com.
Swim (with dolphins)
These outgoing marine mammals cavort daily with waders at the Bermuda Maritime Museum’s dockyards, while the nearby Bermuda Art Centre can provide diversion for landlubbers. 441-234-1418, bmm.bm; 441-234-2809, artbermuda.bm.
Pack
Your best imitation of an English accent.
Go on to the next page for more information on Cancun and the Cayman Islands
Cancun
JetBlue 771 //
Four hours, 30 minutes
Gone is Cancun’s Girls Gone Wild heyday. After 2005′s Hurricane Wilma, a rebuilding boom brought upscale hotels—with even more-upscale spas—here in droves. Last year the airport added a new runway and the sleek 12-gate, $100 million Terminal 3.
Take off
Leave Logan at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Sunday’s Flight 772 returns to Boston just after 5 p.m. 800-538-2583, jetblue.com.
Stay
The Ritz-Carlton Cancun recovered from Wilma with a $15 million facelift and a new culinary center. Doubles from $519; 800-241-3333, ritzcarlton.com.
Eat
The award-winning Gustino’s serves Caribbean-influenced Mediterranean fare, such as a Parmesan-crusted grouper in hibiscus sauce. 52-998-848-9600.
Marvel
The mammoth ruins at Chichen Itza, which date back to around 600 A.D. and include numerous still-standing Mayan temples, make for a memorable day trip. inah.gob.mx.
Pack
Comfortable shoes. Many attractions are best explored by foot.
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Cayman Islands
US Airways 1735 // Four hours
Leave your rudimentary Spanish or French behind: The three-island territory is British through and through. Its largest landmass, Grand Cayman, is 22 miles long and almost completely tourism dependent, so be prepared for never-ending drinking, dining, and water-sporting.
Take off
Fly from Boston at 8 a.m. on Saturday; return Flight 1734 leaves the island at 1 p.m. the same day. 800-622-1015, usairways.com.
Stay
The public, and pet-friendly, Seven Mile Beach is bordered by high-end hotels, among them the renovated 343-room Westin Casuarina and its modernized Hibiscus Spa. Doubles from $423; 345-945-3800, westin.com.
Eat
The Cracked Conch serves its somewhat chewy namesake in chowder or as fritters, alongside more-traditional Cayman dishes. 345-945-5217, crackedconch.com.ky.
Swim (with stingrays)
At the North Sound marina Stingray City, tourists swim or snorkel around with this genial species. 877-733-7245, redsailcayman.com.
Pack
Goggles. Some of Grand Cayman’s coolest sights are underwater.
Go on to the next page for information on Louisville and Montego Bay…
Louisville
Delta 5446 // Three hours
Named for Louis XVI, this Kentucky city brings a note of regality to a state best known for folksy charm. The spires of Churchill Downs mark the high court of horse racing, while area distilleries craft bourbons fit for crystal snifters. Some $800 million in new downtown construction offsets Louisville’s Victorian manses and seven big museums (one of which commemorates another king, native son Muhammad Ali).
Take off
Delta flies daily to Louisville, departing Logan at 1:50 p.m. Leave Friday and come back on Sunday’s Flight 5445 at 5:10 p.m. 800-354-9822, delta.com.
Stay The year-old 21c Museum Hotel is filled with vibrant contemporary artwork and plush amenities—think Mass MoCA meets Nine Zero. Doubles from $159; 502-217-6300, 21cmuseumhotel.com.
Eat
Though Louisville has barbecue and home cookin’ aplenty, for a change of pace check out the stiff cocktails and festive vibe at Mojito, a new Spanish tapas boîte. 502-425-0949.
Watch
The Humana Festival of New American Plays is the hottest ticket in town (2/24–3/30). The annual showcase draws international actors, critics, and audiences for debuts by the likes of Pulitzer darlings Beth Henley and Donald Margulies. 502-584-1205, actorstheatre.org/humana .htm.
Pack
Your Kovels. The shopping strip on Bardstown Road is a bargain-antiques paradise.
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Montego Bay
US Airways 831 // Three hours, 15 minutes
Known to locals as Mo’ Bay, Jamaica’s resort capital offers more than the feverishly rowdy Margaritaville, the main street’s most popular bar for giddy college kids. More-refined visitors migrate a few miles inland to sip spiced rum on the verandas of restored plantations, or go birding in the densely forested mountains.
Take off
Leave Logan on Saturday at 11 a.m. Return Flight 832 departs Montego Bay at 4:15 p.m. on the same day. 800-622-1015, usairways.com.
Stay
Clark Gable loved vacationing at Round Hill. And that was well before the resort’s $6 million Ralph Lauren–designed renovation and double-vanishing-edge pool. Doubles from $590; 800-972-2159, round hilljamaica.com.
Eat
Jasmine at the Ritz-Carlton fuses Jamaican ingredients with Asian techniques to yield dishes like blue crab with spiced papaya and chili-infused lobster. 876-953-2800, ritzcarlton.com.
Heal
The hot springs in Doctor’s Cave are rumored to have serious therapeutic powers. Even nonbelievers love soaking in the remarkably clear, calm water. 876-952-2566, doctorscavebathingclub.com.
Pack
Small bills. Service staffers here have been known to get ornery if stiffed on their tips.
Go on to the next page for information on Phoenix and Punta Cana…
Phoenix
Southwest 1033 // Five hours
New Age detox spas and New York–ified boutique hotels abound in the Phoenix-Scottsdale area, one of the country’s fastest-growing regions. Scottsdale’s Old Town neighborhood is filled with shops and galleries, and the surrounding Phoenix Mountains afford sweeping sunset views.
Take off
Southwest flies twice daily from Manchester to Phoenix. Board Wednesday’s outgoing 4:35 p.m. leg; Sunday’s return Flight 3598 lands at 6:30 p.m. 800-435-9792, southwest.com.
Stay
Once a hangout for Hollywood royalty, the 1956 Hotel Valley Ho has been overhauled with glass-walled rooms and private poolside cabanas. Doubles from $299; 866-882-4484, hotelvalleyho.com.
Eat
Sit at Yasu Sushi Bistro’s tiny bar and order monkfish liver pâté from the chef’s sumibiyaki menu. 602-787-9181.
Explore
See the Sonoran in all its sparse beauty at the Desert Botanical Garden, where artist Patrick Dougherty’s Childhood Dreams sculpture is on exhibit this month. 480-941-1225, dbg.org.
Pack
Your clubs. With 50-plus courses, the area is a links lover’s paradise.
Punta Cana
US Airways 1255 // Four hours
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The once sleepy Dominican Republic region of Punta Cana now gets visitors year round. Though you’d hardly know it: Somehow, the white sand beaches remain pristine, the shallow waters crystal clear, and the resorts more or less secluded. Celebs like Julio Iglesias and Oscar de la Renta have homes here and, with them, easy access to the region’s famous rums and underappreciated cigars.
Take off
Depart Boston at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Flight 1254 returns from Punta Cana at 2 p.m. local time the same day. 800-622-1015, usairways.com.
Stay
The new de la Renta–designed Tortuga Bay has won rave reviews. Its 15 exclusive beachfront suites have conciergelike “villa managers” to handle everything from serving breakfast to rounding up laundry. Doubles from $245; 809-959-2262, puntacana.com.
Eat
Guests at seafood restaurant La Yola eat local specialties like asopao de camarones (shrimp and rice stew) at tables set on a glass floor. 809-959-2262, puntacana.com.
Sightsee (while tipsy)
Spend the morning sipping the spicy rum aphrodisiac mamajuana on the beach; in the afternoon, arrange a day trip to Santo Domingo, the former seat of Spain’s Caribbean colonies.
Pack
A Prada swimsuit. You never know when you might run into de la Renta—or (swoon) a visiting Iglesias junior.
Go on to the next page for information on San Diego and Savannah…
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San Diego
JetBlue 411 // Five hours, 30 minutes
San Diego’s much-discussed nearly perfect weather and famed SoCal vibe aren’t the only reasons to fly west. The sunny city also has its legions of carefree bronzed surfers, the country’s best Mexican food (fish tacos!), and bikini-ready beaches, along with the Gaslamp Quarter, a West Coast equivalent of South Beach, with hip shopping and nightlife scenes.
Take off
JetBlue lifts off from Boston every evening at 5. Depart on Wednesday; the return redeye, Flight 412, lands back at Logan at 5:10 a.m. Monday. 800-538-2583, jetblue.com.
Stay
Opened in November, the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, complete with modish “rock star suites” and an in-house Nobu restaurant, is the latest riff in the chain’s repertoire. Doubles from $295; 866-751-7625, hardrockhotelsd.com.
Eat
Local star chef Chris Walsh’s funky new Hillcrest-area bistro, Bite, serves creative comfort food dishes like yam gnocchi with rock shrimp and house-made duck prosciutto. 619-299-2483, bitesd.com.
Grin and bear
The Louvre of animal menageries, the San Diego Zoo has more than 4,000 rare and endangered animals, including the buzzed-about new panda cub, Zhen Zhen. 619-231-1515, sandiegozoo.org.
Pack
Flip-flops, the city’s almost-official footwear.
Savannah
Delta 5031 // Two hours, 30 minutes
With its European-style architecture and deep Celtic roots, Savannah is like a smaller—and infinitely more laid-back—Boston, making it an ideal getaway for cranky Yankees looking to submerge themselves in Southern luxury for a few days. The Historic District is a certified national landmark, and is dotted with 22 distinct squares overflowing with Spanish moss and filled with trendy new boutiques and up-and-coming restaurants.
Take off
Touch down in Savannah at 11:55 a.m. on Friday. Delta’s Flight 5352 has you back in Boston on Tuesday just after 3 p.m. 800-221-1212, delta.com.
Stay
Pull into the Thunderbird Inn, a restored vintage motel in the Historic District that’s swapped polyester bedspreads for plush modern linens. Doubles from $89; 912-232-2661, thethunderbirdinn.com.
Eat
When his Local 110 opened last spring, chef Keith Latture quickly earned praise for innovative Southern-accented creations like Sapelo Island clams with chorizo. 912-790-9000, local11ten.com.
Party
After Boston, the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day festival is the second largest in the United States—it’s all the debauchery, none of the bone-chilling cold. savannahsaintpatricksday.com.
Pack
A “Kiss Me, I’m Boston Irish” T-shirt.
Go on to the next page for more information on St. Thomas and Turks and Caicos…
St. Thomas
American 883 // Four hours
Both mountainous and sand-strewn, St. Thomas looks kind of like the set of Lost, minus the polar bears and black-smoke monster. Capital city Charlotte Amalie’s marina is the busiest in the Caribbean, and the beach at nearby heart-shaped Magens Bay is considered to be among the world’s most beautiful. Drake’s Seat, one of the island’s highest points, boasts unparalleled views of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Take off
Fly from Logan at 10:20 a.m. on Sunday; Flight 856 lands back in Boston at 7:30 p.m. the same day. 800-433-7300, aa.com.
Stay
The Ritz-Carlton’s 70 brand-new Caribbean-facing rooms and expanded spa are part of the resort’s $40 million improvement. The penthouse suite has its own bar and butler’s pantry. Doubles from $799; 340-775-3333, ritzcarlton.com.
Eat
The Grande Cru wine bar at the Yacht Haven Grande marina serves daily scallop specials, pancetta-crusted lamb chops, and flights of fine vintages. 340-775-8278, yachthavengrande.com.
Swim (with sharks!)
It’s Disney World, submerged: Coral World Ocean Park is an aquarium, observatory, and garden in one, where guests can consort with sharks and sea lions and spy indigenous birds. 340-775-1555, coralworldvi.com.
Pack
A credit card. The Virgin Islands are renowned for great deals on jewelry and art.
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Turks and Caicos
American 1501 // Three hours, 30 minutes
Shrouded in palm trees and privacy, the Turks and Caicos offer the posh a convenient getaway (Ben and Jen chose the 40-island archipelago for their 2005 nuptials). The two main isles, Grand Turk and Providenciales, have luxe spas, snorkeling, diving, and kayaking, while some of the surrounding cays are home to five-star resorts.
Take off
American’s 11 a.m. flight touches down in Providenciales on Saturday. The return leg, Flight 1524, lands in Boston on Saturday at 7:20 p.m. 800-433-7300, aa.com.
Stay
The newest retreat from the VIP-friendly Aman Resorts, Amanyara encompasses 40 oceanside glass-and-wood pavilions, clay tennis courts, and a 30-seat screening room. Doubles from $1,450; 649-941-8133, amanresorts.com.
Eat
The Somerset’s O’Soleil restaurant on Grace Bay puts an island twist on old favorites. Try the tequila-cured salmon and the caesar salad with plantain croutons. 649-946-5900, thesomerset.com.
Watch
From January until April, more than 2,500 humpback whales swim through the West Indies. Boaters and scuba divers can hear their migratory calls. 649-946-6909, turksandcaicoswhalewatching.com.
Pack
Bug spray. Without it, mosquitoes will make a meal of your ankles.
By Matthew Reed Baker, Blythe Copeland, Sascha de Gersdorff, Amy Derjue, J.L. Johnson, Ann Lucas, Jason Schwartz, and Amy Traverso.
Go on to the next page for guaranteed quick getaways at a moment’s notice…
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Sitting Targets
Need to get away, now? We polled local travel agents on which winter flights from Logan almost always have room for latecomers.
By Elizabeth Tingue
Illustration by Aaron Meshon
JetBlue 1263 to Austin
The most unsouthern city in the Lone Star State, Austin has hip galleries, modern eateries, and a legendary music scene. Departs daily at 8:50 a.m., arrives 12:35 p.m. local time. 800-538-2583, jetblue.com.
SATA 220 to Ponta Delgada, the Azores
The underhyped Portuguese archipelago is known for its decidedly untrammeled vibe and a verdant landscape dotted with colonial architecture. Departs Friday at 10:15 p.m., arrives 7:15 a.m. local time the next day. 800-762-9995, www.sata.pt.
American 25 to Los Angeles
Sunshine! Celebrities! Fred Segal! Trade your morning commute for a rented red Mustang and Santa Monica’s wide-open boulevards. Departs daily at 7:15 a.m., lands 11 a.m. local time. 800-433-7300, aa.com.
Northwest 5738 to Memphis
Beale Street’s blues bars, Elvis’s Graceland, and the city’s famous barbecue joints are all musts in the River City. Departs daily at 8:40 a.m., arrives 12:45 p.m. local time. 800-225-2525, nwa.com.
JetBlue 759 to San Juan
Puerto Rico’s capital has cobblestone streets and a small-city spirit, plus casinos, fresh island produce, and year-round beach weather. Departs daily at 8:05 a.m., arrives 1:40 p.m. local time. 800-538-2583, jetblue.com.
Go on to the next page for trips for travelers who prefer wintry destinations…
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Keep Your Cool
It’s unlikely, but possible (should you burn easily, or be allergic to cocktail umbrellas) that your ideal winter escape is, well, wintry. These nonstop destinations cater to the heat-averse with indoor culture and outdoor pursuits.
By Elizabeth Tingue
Illustration by Aaron Meshon
Chicago
United now flies daily from Manchester to O’Hare. 800-241-6522, united.com.
Flight time: 2.5 hours. Cross-country ski on the Blackwell Forest Preserve’s 1,300 acres in nearby Warrenville, then leave the wind outside for a modern meal at Sepia in the West Loop. 630-933-7200; 312-441-1920, sepiachicago.com
Denver
Frontier has new daily service from Hartford to the gateway to the Rockies. 800-432-1359, frontierairlines.com.
Flight time: 4 hours. Ride the slopes of Arapahoe Basin before hitting the new Museum of Contemporary Art for après-ski culture. 970-468-0718, arapahoebasin.com; 303-298-7554, mcartdenver.org.
Philadelphia
US Airways’ Boston–Philadelphia route now includes daily service. 800-428-4322, usairways.com.
Flight time: 1.5 hours. After gorging on the requisite cheese steak, be one of the first to see the new Frida Kahlo retrospective opening on 2/20 at the Museum of Art. 215-763-8100, philamuseum.org.
Saranac Lake
New Adirondacks-bound Delta flights leave Logan daily. 800-221-1212, delta.com.
Flight time: 70 minutes. Take in a woodsman exhibition, enter a snowshoe race, or explore an ice palace at this year’s Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, 2/1–2/10. 518-891-1990, saranaclake.com. —E.T.
Go on to the next page for A Bostonian’s Guide to the Sunshine State…
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A Bostonian’s Guide to the Sunshine State
Boston has more nonstop flights to Florida than to any other state, with some 3.4 million passengers jetting south from Logan annually. But it’s not just an easy beach destination: There’s a capital-S Scene to infiltrate, too. We braved sand, socialites, and lots of bright colors to bring you everything you need to know to seem as if you’ve been wintering there for years.
Click here to see A Primer on Navigating the State’s Seven Hubs, Plus the Keys!
Go on to the next page for Florida’s social calendar for the visiting partygoer…
Schmooze Control
A social calendar for the visiting partygoer.
By Erin Byers Murray
"It’s wild that there’s always a scene," notes one anonymous Palm Beach insider. "It’s a little like Disneyland—real but not real." We asked the Hub’s reigning social mavens to single out the season’s top events.
2/9 The American Heart Association’s Boca Raton Heart Ball. "Hearts in Flight" is this year’s theme; "A-list attire," the dress code. Past regulars include noted Nantucket do-gooders Tiffany Spadafora and George Cloutier. $400 per person; Boca Raton, 561-394-0170, americanheart.org.
2/16 Dana-Farber’s Discovery Ball. Hosted by big Boston philanthropists Michele and Howard Kessler, this is the event of the season, drawing Hub VIPs like Paul and Phyllis Fireman, who get access to posh day-before receptions and day-after brunches. $750 per person; Palm Beach, 561-833-2080, dana-farber.org.
2/17 The American Ireland Fund’s Palm Beach Celebration. The ultraexclusive affair takes place at the Kessler residence, where a select group, including New England Design Hall of Famers Lee Bierly and Chris Drake, celebrates "wine, food, and the art of Irish provenance." $2,500 per person; Palm Beach, 212-213-1166, irlfunds.org.
2/21–2/24 The South Beach Wine and Food Festival. This four-day party brings together some 20,000 "friends" for tastings, dinners, seminars, and auctions. Blue Ginger fans can join superstar Boston chef Ming Tsai at his golf tourney. Starting at $35 per person; Miami Beach, 877-762-3933, sobewineandfoodfest.com.
2/22 The American Lung Association of Florida’s Jewels of Life Ball. The theme for this year is "The Land Down Under," so be on the lookout for Aussie-flavored cocktail attire, imported wines, and New Englanders such as art collectors David and Rhoda Chase. $400 per person; Palm Beach, 561-659-7644, lungfla.org.
Want even more events in the Florida social scene? Click here!
Go on to the next page to find out what to wear down there…
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Looking the Part
Old old-money outfits are bo-ring. Spend your pre-trip shopping
trip stocking up on these staples of the new Gold Coast chic.
1. Phillip Lim bias-cut silk dress, $765, Neiman Marcus; patent leather fold-over clutch, $895, Marc Jacobs; Prada petal-heel silk strap sandals, $550, Saks Fifth Avenue.
2. Cashmere-blend blazer, $2,900; Lanvin cotton shirt, $520, tropical-weight wool pants, $565, silk tie, $285, and patent-tip dress shoes, $865; all at Alan Bilzerian.
For information on renting or buying a second home, go on to the next page…
A Place in the Sun
Steep declines in the Florida housing market and a plethora of available inventory make this a savvy time to rent or buy a second home there—provided you know where to shop.
By Michael Blanding
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Clermont
Forget Fort Lauderdale. If you’re looking for value, head inland to Clermont, just west of the ever expanding Orlando. Over the past five years, the up-and-coming area has been largely transformed from citrus groves into subdivisions on a string of pretty lakes. Universal Studios is within a 30-minute drive; Daytona Beach is an hour away. And the median age is just 34—a rarity in the snowbird-heavy state.
Last year the bottom fell out of a flurry of real estate speculation, leaving many three-bedroom homes for less than $200,000, and plenty of last-minute rental houses—from waterfront villas to vacation condos—priced at less than $1,200 a month. Realtor: Dennis DeAngelo, Weichert Realtors Hallmark Properties, 800-409-7368, weicherthallmark.com.
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Pinellas Peninsula
As Palm Beach real estate soars higher than most socialites’ bouffants, Florida’s Gulf Coast offers an equally attractive seashore and much more attractive housing prices. West of Tampa, the Pinellas Peninsula gets an average of 361 sunny days a year. The scene revolves around Clearwater Beach, a white sand mecca with a daily pier party.
For even better value, head south to the lower-key Indian Rocks, a laid-back beach town with a thriving arts scene, or north to Dunedin or Tarpon Springs, family-friendly communities where modest three-bedroom waterfront homes with boat docks go for $500,000. Rental properties top out at around $2,500 per month for a two-bedroom. Realtor: Phaedra Hubbard, Charles Rutenberg Realty, 727-538-9200, rutenbergrealtyinc.com.
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Fisher Island
Apparently, even upscale Miami Beach wasn’t exclusive enough for the Vanderbilts, who nearly 100 years ago bought and developed their own private isle right off the mainland. These days, Fisher Island represents the most expensive ZIP code in the entire country, where Mediterranean-style villas are organized around a pink layer-cake resort complete with a pristine nine-hole golf course, health spa, and tennis and squash courts.
Island visitors include boldfacers such as Oprah Winfrey and Andre Agassi, and various Fortune 500 execs. (When the parade of Bentleys gets to be a little much, the less tony Miami is a short fast-ferry ride away.) And there’s good news for gawkers: Florida’s real estate slowdown has taken even paradise down by several notches. Oceanside villas now generally run from a paltry $10 million to $15 million, and the inventory is staggering, with nearly 100 of the island’s 700 homes currently on the market. Prospective buyers can test-drive a two-bedroom by renting one for about $10,000 per month. Realtor: Phyllis Winick, Fisher Island Real Estate, 305-535-6071, fisherisland.com.
For tips on what to do, who to know, and where to go to get noticed in Palm Beach, go on to the next page…
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Making Waves, the Right Way
In Palm Beach County, where you lunch is as important as what you wear. Veteran scenesters dish on what to do, who to know, and where to go to get noticed.
By Erin Byers Murray
By Aaron Meshon
"People tend to reinvent themselves down here," says a not-to-be-named Beacon Hill type. "Everybody wants to be really rich, or appear so, so many get involved in the charity circuit. There are events five nights and six afternoons a week. Read the Daily News—it has pictures of every one." palmbeachdailynews.com.
"The Palm Beach Grill is really the scene," notes 29 Newbury owner Debbie Lewis, who hits the area each winter. "It’s an open room so you can see everyone." 561-835-1077, hillstone.com.
"Atlantic Avenue in Delray is very see-and-be-seen," says Union Oyster House president Joe Milano, who has a condo in Highland Beach. "It has about 50 restaurants. My favorite is Tramonti—you’ve practically got to know the owner to get a table." 561-272-1944.
